Kerala Travel Tours - Kerala means "land of coconuts". Many call the beach at kovalam the best in india. Emerald Kerala Backwaters, lush hill stations, ayurveda and health resorts, enchanting beaches of Kerala, and exotic cuisine... all of which are a part of Kerala Travel and Tourism Guide.

The
grove is dotted with the granite idols of serpents. There are 2 main
idols: 'Nagaraja' or the serpent king and his consort, Sarpayakshini.

The priestess lives in the 'Illam' on the north side of the temple.
'Uruli Kamazhthal' or the placing of a bell metal vessel upside down in
front of the deity is the most popular offering believed to restore
fertility to childless couples.

Mannarshala temple at Harippad is reputed for having 30,000 images of
snake-gods and this is the largest of its kind in the state.

On the day of 'Ayilliam' asterism in the Malayalam months of Kanni and
Thulam (September and October), all the serpent idols in the grove and
the temple are taken in procession to illam ( the house connected with
the temple) where 'Nurum Palum' (rice flour and milk), 'Kuruthi' (a red
liquid made of turmeric and lime), offerings are made.

The procession is conducted with great pomp and gaiety in which the
oldest female member of the family carries the Nagaraja idol. During the
festival days, thousands throng the temple to worship the hooded gods.

The offerings include coins and snake effigies made of gold, silver and
copper, grains of all kinds, pepper, tender coconuts, plantains, melons
and sandalwood.